Everest Base Camp via Cho-La Pass

Everest Base Camp via Cho La Pass trek is a full-fledged adventure trek over the challenging terrains of Himalayas of Nepal in the vicinity of Mt Everest. The trek combines most of the spectacular vantage points falling in Everest region. After we reach Namche Bazaar, we move on to Tenboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorek Shep and Kalapathar. Then we backtrack a little to Lobuche and head on to Zongla from where we cross the formidable Cho La Pass to reach Gokyo on the other side. Then climb Gokyo Ri and return to Namche via Dole. Although you do not climb Everest during this trip, you will perfectly find out where is Mt Everest and how it looks, having observed it from different angles and having known its surroundings in detail.

Everest Base Camp over Cho La Pass is certainly a difficult trek, but you should know that even the easiest of the treks in Everest region give you a tinge of adventure with high altitude hikes as well as steep walks up-and-down. In spite of its difficulties, the rewards of this trek stand high over its hazards, thus inspiring ever-larger number of intrepid trekkers to face the challenges head-on. Not only do they enjoy awesome mountains and their incredible panorama from every stopover, they do test all fictions and facts about Mt Everest and Everest region firsthand. They also get a chance to familiarize themselves with the Sherpas and their ways of life.

As you take the trek, you will follow the famous “Everest Trail” trek to the prosperous village of Namche Bazaar and onwards; and also trek alongside the torrential Imtse River to the high valley below Mt. Everest. Embark on this trip with an unfearing heart; you will certainly get a boost to your morale. Besides, you will set your own definition and measurement of the most beautiful sceneries of the earth. Take pictures of Mt Everest and other beautiful mountains and peaks and see how they look when you reach home! All in all, this trek distills most of the attractions and most of the challenges attending to any of your venturesome forage into Everest Region.

Day 1: Kathmandu – Lukla (2750m) – Phakding (2610m)

Day 2: Phakding - Namche Bazaar (3440m)

Day 3: Namche Bazaar (Rest Day)

Day 4: Namche Bazaar – Tengboche (3680m)

Day 5: Tengboche – Dingboche (4250m)

Day 6: Around Dingboche

Day 7: Dingboche – Lobuche (4950m)

Day 8: Lobuche – Gorek Shep (5160m)

Day 9: Gorek Shep – Kalapathar (5545m) – Lobuche (4950m)

Day 10: Lobuche – Zongla (4740m)

Day 11: Zongla to Chola-La Pass (5483m)

Day 12: Chola-La to Gokyo (4790m)

Day 13: Gokyo - Gokyo-Ri (5483m)

Day 14: Gokyo – Dole

Day 15: Dole - Namche Bazaar

Day 16: Namche Bazaar – Phakding

Day 17: Phakding – Lukla

Day 18: Lukla – Kathmandu

Day 1: Kathmandu – Lukla (2750m) – Phakding (2610m)
Our guide will pick you up at 5:30 AM from your hotel in Kathmandu and drive to the airport. You will board the early morning flight at 6:30 AM from where you will fly to Lukla (2750 m.) in about 45 minutes.

After breakfast in Lukla, you will walk for about 4 hours to Phakding (2610 m.), a fairly plain terrain inhabited by Sherpas. Later in the afternoon, you will follow upstream Dudhkoshi River and spend the night in a lodge.

Day 2: Phakding - Namche Bazaar (3440m)
You will trek for nearly seven hours to reach Namche Bazar (3440 m.), the famous town in Solukhumbu. The last three hours of this trek will be tough, but the beautiful sceneries on the way will make you will forget your tiredness. The night will be spent in a local teahouse.

Day 3: Namche Bazaar (Rest Day)
To help your body adjust with the high altitude conditions, we will spend the day for acclimatization. You can do some daytime hiking and explore Khumjung village and return to the teahouse at Namche Bazaar for the night-stay.

Day 4: Namche Bazaar – Tengboche (3680m)
After a six to seven hours trek, you will reach Tengboche (3860 m.), a perfect viewpoint to observe beautiful peaks of Ama Dablam and the picturesque Thamserku, and a greater part of the Himalayan range in the Khumbu Region.

Day 5: Tengboche – Dingboche (4250m)
Dingboche (4250 m.) lies at about a walking distance of six to seven hours from Tengboche. Due to the rising altitude, you will be walking slower than on previous days.

Day 6: Around Dingboche
This will be the second day of acclimatization. You will be taken on a day trip to Chhukung Valley and back to Dingboche. Rest and rejuvenation are quite essential for you in order to continue the trekking next day. High altitude treks are usually carried out along with acclimatization in parallel. It is necessary for your body to be familiar with the surrounding altitudes. Frequent acclimatization is a must, and your guides will encourage it.

Day 7: Dingboche – Lobuche (4950m)
Your next stopover is Lobuche (4950m.), at about a walking distance of five to six hours from Dingboche. Stunning views of Mt. Pumori, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Lhotse and a section of the Himalayan Range are the main highlights of the day.

Day 8: Lobuche – Gorek Shep (5160m)
The next segment of your trek, from Lobuche to Gorek Shep (5160 m.) is short and can be completed in about three to four hours. You will reach Gorek Shep just in time for lunch. After resting for a few hours, you will take a walk to Everest Base Camp in the evening, to view the dazzling sunset over the highest point on this planet.

Day 9: Gorek Shep – Kalapathar (5545m) – Lobuche (4950m)
You will begin the five hours’ hike to Kalapathar early in the morning. Kalapathar is at an altitude of 5545 meters above sea level, and is better known as the perfect viewpoint to see all major parts of the Himalayan Range, including the majestic Mt. Everest. If the weather permits, you will get to see a spellbinding sunrise, something that you will not find elsewhere in the whole world. You can take as many photographs as you like, and then go back to Gorek Shep for lunch. Shortly afterwards, you will descend back to Lobuche.

Day 10: Lobuche – Zongla (4740m)
You will trek to Zongla (4740 m.) which is about five to six hours walk from Lobuche. Later will you will cross the Chola-La Pass. Zongla is the only one place where you can spend a night. At night your stay at a cozy teahouse is made enjoyable by the mingling of people coming from all over the world.

Day 11: Zongla to Chola-La Pass (5483m)
You will walk from Zongla to Chola-La Pass (5483 m.), and then trek down to Thanga (4500 m.). It is a long pass difficult to cross even in summer when the snow levels are low; while in winter it is even more difficult to travel, due to almost incessant snowfall. However, during rest of the seasons, you will find the walk over the glacier enjoyable. As night falls, you will hurry towards the indoor warmth of a comfortable teahouse.

Day 12: Chola-La to Gokyo (4790m)Trek to Gokyo (4790 meters). This will be a short walk comprising only 4 - 5 hours after which you will arrive in Gokyo just in time for lunch. You can then explore the beautiful Gokyo valley, while at night you stay at a tea house. From your room, you can see the lake view.

Day 13: Gokyo - Gokyo-Ri (5483m)
On this day early in the morning we have steep climb up to the top of Gokyo Ri (5483m). Ample rewards await one who attempts this trip. There are stunning views of the upper Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas, such as, giants as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu (8481m), Cho-Oyu (8153m) and Gychung Kang (7922m) can be seen. Those who explore the glacier and Gokyo Peak are rewarded. The rest of the day is for acclimatization and late in the afternoon we go back to the camp.

Day 14: Gokyo – Dole
The trail from Gokyo to Dole is downhill, where you can enjoy the beautiful views along the way and compare the differences in between up-hill and down-hill walks. It is an enjoyable day for you since the pace is slow and you can take some nice snaps. Your over-night stay is at a tea house.

Day 15: Dole - Namche Bazaar
Dole to Namche Bazaar is about six hours walking trip. You cross the Khumjung village on the way along the footsteps of the amazing Ama Dablam to get to Namche Bazaar. Your overnight stay is at a comfy teahouse.

Day 16: Namche Bazaar – Phakding
You are almost nearing the end of the trek on day 16. During the day time, you will trek down to Phakding, which normally takes about five hours. You will have some time to spend in Phakding during the evening, so you can either hop in a local pub for a drink or else you can spend the evening in your lodge interacting with the locals.

Day 17: Phakding – Lukla
This is your last day in the Everest Region as part of this tour. You will have a leisurely walk back to Lukla. Later in Lukla, you will have lunch and then go for a short walk to a nearby Sherpa village. You can take photographs and videos of the place for your valuable memories.

Day 18: Lukla – Kathmandu
Early in the morning you will be preparing for your flight back to Kathmandu. During your 45 minute flight you can hit that Play button on your camera and review the trip you just had in the past amazing seventeen days. A nostalgic feeling of loneliness will fill you as you descend upon Kathmandu. However the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu along the way, as you transfer to your hotel in Thamel or elsewhere in Kathmandu, will charge you for yet another adventure in Nepal.

Fitness Level:

This trip requires you to be in good health and physically fit. So, we recommend thorough physical examination before you start the trek.

Skills:

Your familiarity with the mountainous terrain and previous trekking experience will be plus points.

Travel Insurance:

Make sure that you are insured against cancellations, accidents, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of, or damage to, baggage and personal effects.

In emergency situations, we will arrange for a helicopter rescue, medical treatment and after care for you. All these costs shall be borne by your travel insurance company.

Required Equipment/Gears:

Sleeping bag

Down jacket

LED headlight

Water bottle

First-aid kit

Water purification solution

Trekking poles

Raincoat

Sunglasses

Full fingers gloves

Socks

Thermal cap

Fleece

Sunscreen

Notes:

You can choose to bring these equipment yourself. However, we can help you get these things after you arrive here if you want to travel light.

We will arrange your pick-up/drop-off according to your flight schedule.

We can customize this itinerary according to your interests and preferences.

Documents required:

TIMS Card

Sagarmatha National Park Permit

Scanned copies of passport sized photo and passport of each participant